Padang
Padang (population almost 500,000) is a clean and pleasant town with interesting Minang traditional-style buildings, good hotels, decent restaurant and competent travel agencies. The huge Kerinci Seblat National Park is 120 km south of the town.
Getting there
By air there are frequent international connections with Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, regularly daily connections with Jakarta and Medan. Padang’s Tabing international airport is 15 min north of the city on the road to Bukittinggi. The 6-km taxi ride into town costs 43-5; arrange it at the airport service counter. A bemo from the main road (200 m away) costs IDR 2,000.
By sea Pelni’s KM Kerinci and Kambuna leaves Jakarta’s Tanjung Priok harbour every other Saturday morning arriving Sunday evening (36 hrs); 1st-4th class $100-46; “no class” tickets not recommended. The boat is always crowded.
By bus from Jakarta takes 2-3 days; $13-22; from Bandar Lampung 28 hrs, about $16.